Unbaptised publishers

by purplesofa 13 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  yknot

  The Baptism changed in June 1985

  ***

  w85 6/1 p.30 Subjecting Ourselves to Jehovah by Dedication***

  Decision

  Based on Knowledge

  Likewise this year many thousands are contemplating the step of baptism during the "Integrity Keepers" Convention that will be held in many locations worldwide. Before reaching this point of baptism, all candidates have carefully reviewed with congregation elders the Bible’s principal doctrines and guidelines for Christian conduct to make sure they really qualify for baptism. Thus the decision to be baptized is by no means a sudden emotional reaction. Rather, each one has ‘proved for himself the good and acceptable and perfect will of God’ and wishes to submit to that will.—Romans 12:2.

  At the close of the convention baptism talk, the baptism candidates will be in position to answer with depth of understanding and heartfelt appreciation two simple questions that serve to confirm that they recognize the implications of following Christ’s example. The first question is:

  On

  the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, have you repented of your sins and dedicated yourself to Jehovah to do his will?

  The second is:

  Do

  you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in association with God’s spirit-directed organization?

  Having answered yes to these questions, candidates are in a right heart condition to undergo Christian baptism
• 

  purplesofa

  Thanks heaps for the info,

  purps
• 

  yknot

  Carla,

  Well it use to mean that until the WT started to run short of men who qualified..... so of course the changed their interpretation.

  ***w96 10/15 pp.21-22 Father and Elder— Fulfilling Both Roles***

  Married to an "Unbelieving Wife"

  8

  Concerning Christian men married to unbelievers, Paul wrote: "If any brother has an unbelieving wife, and yet she is agreeable to dwelling with him, let him not leave her . . . For . . . the unbelieving wife is sanctified in relation to the brother; otherwise, your children would really be unclean, but now they are holy. For, . . . husband, how do you know but that you will save your wife?" (1 Corinthians 7:12-14, 16) The word "unbelieving" here does not refer to a wife who has no religious beliefs but to one who is not dedicated to Jehovah. She could have been a Jew, or a believer in pagan gods. Today, an elder might be married to a woman who practices a different religion, is an agnostic, or even an atheist. If she is willing to stay with him, he should not leave her simply because of differing beliefs. He should still ‘dwell with her according to knowledge, assigning her honor as to a weaker vessel, the feminine one,’ living in hopes of saving her.—1 Peter 3:7; Colossians 3:19.

  9

  If an overseer has children, he will exercise proper husbandly and fatherly headship in raising them "in the discipline and mental-regulating of Jehovah." (Ephesians 6:4) In many lands the law gives both marriage mates the right to provide religious instruction for their children. In this case the wife may demand to exercise her right to expose the children to her religious beliefs and practices, which may include taking them to her church. Of course, the children should follow their Bible-trained conscience with regard to not participating in false religious ceremonies. As family head, the father will exercise his own right to study with his children and take them to meetings at the Kingdom Hall when possible. When they reach the age at which they may make their own decisions, they will decide for themselves which way they will go. (Joshua 24:15) If his fellow elders and the members of the congregation can see that he is doing all that the law allows him to do to instruct his children properly in the way of the truth, he will not be disqualified as an overseer.
• 

  WTWizard

  I can remember that during the Year of Stagnation, 1988. That change happened after I was baptized, though.